Repacking the Driveshaft Grease

Replacing the grease in the driveshafts is part of the maintenance program to help prolong the life of these units and prevent failures at the track. For the Spec Racer Ford all you need is a few simple tools and some high quality grease.

Tools and Supplies:

• Paper Towels / Rags

• Degreaser / Brake Cleaner

• CV-2 Redline grease (or your favourite)

• Light Hammer

• Large Screwdriver

• Safety Wire

• Safety Wire Pliers

• Side cutters / dykes

• Side Cutters

• Bench Vise

• Tripod Grease Tool (optional)

• Grease gun (optional)

• Impact ~150ft-lb for 30mm axle nut

• 30mm deep socket axle nut

• 19mm socket/wrench/breaker bar

• Clean Bench

• Gearbox oil (I use Redline MT-90)

Instructions:

• Loosen the rear lug nuts

• Jack up the car (you want to jack on one side of the chassis to tilt the gearbox as much as possible to avoid gearbox oil loss)

• Place a drip tray under the gearbox incase you loose gear oil

• Remove the wheel

• Loosen the Upper Ball Joint bracket upper bolt and remove the lower bolt

• Remove the R-clip/cotter pin from the lower control arm

• Undo the castle nut and drop the lower control arm

• Remove the axle nut and washer (150 ft-lb)

• Now you should be able to lift up the up and remove the splined axle

• Using a large screw driver and light hammer very carefully loosen the axle from the gear box using the screw driver as a wedge and lightly tapping be careful not to mark any machined surfaces or damage the seals (there is a snap ring that is hard to just pull out)

• Now with the driveshaft removed place on a bench (optionally in a vice to keep it steady)

• Using side cutters remove the clips or safety wire around the Tripod dust boot

• Peel back the Tripod dust boot and clean out old grease

• Remove the Tripod cup and inspect for wear or burrs

• Clean out the old grease from inside Tripod Cup

• Clean excess old grease from the Tripod roller bearings

• Inspect the Tripod roller bearings for wear or burrs (replace if needed)

• Using either your hands or Tripod Grease Tool repack the roller bearings with new grease (make sure you get the grease all the way in there)

• Spread new grease on the splines and outer surfaces of the roller case

• Spread new grease on the inside Tripod cup contact surfaces

• Insert the Tripod into the Tripod cup

• Place the Tripod dust boot back into place

• Safety wire the Tripod dust boot back into place

• Using side cutters remove the clips or safety wire around the CV joint dust boot

• Peel back the CV joint dust boot and clean out old grease

• Remove the CV joint from the drive shaft splines

• The lock ring might be difficult to remove this can be done very carefully using a screw driver and light hammer taps be very careful not to damage the CV parts, races or ball bearings

• With the CV joint removed clean out the old grease and inspect for damage

• Remove the ball bearings and place on a clean towel on the bench

• Clean the ball bearings and inspect for wear and burrs

• If necessary to clean out the grease, remove the inner race

• Clean all the ball bearings and races

• With the CV, inner & outer races and all ball bearings clean you are now ready to re-grease and reassemble

• Using fresh grease reinstall the inner race if removed, ensuring the snap ring is facing out

• One at a time slightly angle the inner and outer races to slip in a ball coated in fresh grease

• Work around the CV one ball bearing at a time until all 6 ball bearings are back in the races

• Pack the joint with new grease ensuring all contact surfaces, races and balls are well coated

• Put new grease on the splines

• Slide the CV back onto the splines

• Place the CV dust boot back into place

• Safety wire the CV dust boot back into place

• Reinsert the Tripod into the gear box (it might require a few light taps with a rubber mallet to get pass the retaining ring)

• Lift the Hub and slide the splined driveshaft into the hub

• Replace the lower control arm tightening the castle nut and replace the R-clip/cotter pin

• Replace the Upper Ball Joint bracket lower bolt

• Retighten and torque Upper Ball Joint bracket bolts

• Replace the axle nut and washer and torque to 150ft-lb

• Replace the wheel

• Torque the lug nuts to 55 ft-lb

• Repeat with the other driveshaft

• Refill the gearbox with any lost gear oil

• After the first track session check for any grease spray or leaks from the driveshafts

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